TECH NOTES
Application Guidelines to Keep You Better Informed
MOTORS & DRIVES
Belt Tension
BELT APPLICATIONS
Although the problems are far from an epidemic, it appears
that a high percentage of motor failures on belt-driven
applications are bearing-related. A majority of these
failures could be easily eliminated if care is taken with the
specification and installation of these applications.
As the economically justifiable size of industrial plants grows,
the individual equipment within these facilities has also
increased in throughput and driven horsepower. As a result,
we are seeing a growing number of “higher” horsepower
motors being applied to V-belt loads. There are several obvious
concerns with belt application on larger loads. One is the
increased radial load. Larger inertia loads seem to have resulted
in a substantial increase in over tensioning in the field. The
methods of V-belt tensioning vary dramatically from site to site
and sometimes within various areas of a single mill. One thing
© 2020 Toshiba International Corporation • 13131 West Little York Road Houston, Texas 77041 USA • Tel +713-466-0277 US 1-800-231-1412 • Rev.0924ESSENCE20
that consistently appears is that the larger the load, the greater
the tendency to over tighten. This artificially high radial load
results in reduced expected bearing and/or belt life. Along with
drastically increased radial loads comes the concern of motor
sheave placement. Larger horsepower belted motors typically
have longer shaft extensions and, as a result, placement
of the motor sheave too far outboard bearing on the shaft
compounds the mechanical stresses. For example, some field
installations have the motor sheave cantilever over the end
of a shaft that already has a shaft extension of 11.625 inches.
Possible shaft flexing from such misplacement can lead
to reduced bearing life due to an inconsistent roller bearing
running surface. As mechanical loading increases, the motor
drive-end shaft must increase in diameter, which in turn, results
in larger bearing diameters and an increased angular velocity
of the rolling elements with the bearings. Increased roller
velocity results in a reduction of expected grease life. Increased
frequency of re-lubrication, therefore, must be performed to
maintain expected bearing life.
Site visits have revealed that more time and care is taken
aligning direct-coupled loads than is taken with belt-driven
applications. It is sometimes assumed that the sheave can
be placed anywhere along the motor shaft to provide the belt
alignment between the motor sheave and the load sheave. This
is not a recommended practice. Of equal importance to sheave
placement along the shaft is the alignment of the drive and
driven sheaves. The same care in alignment that is taken with
direct-coupled loads is required for belt drive applications.
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 TECH NOTES Page - 2

BELT APPLICATIONS BELT DEFLECTION - (1A)

Most belt manufacturers provide detailed information on how
Belt Deflection Force per 1/64” in lbs.
to tension their belts. As a quick reference, the belt deflection
(Average)
table (1A) can be used for some common belt types.
Belt Size
Apply force in the center of the span, at right angles to the belt
Minimum Maximum
with sufficient force to deflect the belt 1/64th inch for each
inch of span length. With properly tensioned belts, the force
should fit into the ranges given. The following information was 3V 2.2 to 5.5 (3.9) 3.3 to 8.5 (5.9)
compiled from several manufacturers sources. The format
provides the minimum and maximum values plus the average
value shown in parenthesis. 5V 7.7 to 18 (13.9) 10 to 21 (15.5)

The table shows the wide range of “normal” belt deflection

force for properly adjusted V-belts of various makes installed 8V 18 to 35 (26.6) 20 to 59 (39.5)
under different conditions (new belts vs. old, or large diameter
sheaves vs. small). A 2.2 to 4.9 (3.6) 3.4 to 7.1 (5.3)
Tension typically should be increased to raise the force of new
belts by 30%. After a few days, the tension should be adjusted B 2.6 to 8.1 (5.4) 5.3 to 12 (8.7)
to recommended values. This allows for the initial stretch of
new belts. C 7.5 to 14 (10.8) 10.5 to 22 (16.3)
Care should be taken to use belts that are properly matched
so that all belts take their portion of the load. If some belts D 15 to 27 (21) 22 to 40 (31)
are longer than the others, they will not be tight enough and
therefore will not transmit the load properly. The shorter belts
will probably be over-tensioned. If belts are running hot, it is E 32 to 40 (36) 47 to 60 (53.5)
most likely that they are not tensioned enough. Over-tensioning
will reduce both belt and bearing life.

Span Length

Deflection Force

Deflection

© 2020 Toshiba International Corporation • 13131 West Little York Road Houston, Texas 77041 USA • Tel +713-466-0277 US 1-800-231-1412 • Rev.0924ESSENCE20 www.toshiba.com/tic
 TECH NOTES Page - 3

TIC’s GENERAL MOUNTING GUIDELINES FOR MOTORS

1. Mount the motor securely on a firm and flat base. Toshiba’s ball and roller bearing normal thrust motors
through frame 447 are mechanically capable of being mounted in any position. Consult with TIC for frames
larger than 447. Special drains, shaft seals, or support construction may be required on all sizes, subject to
the environment.
2. Align the motor accurately. Ball bearings are recommended for direct coupled applications. Roller bearings
may be used with flexible couplings — ensure proper alignment. Rigid couplings require extra allowance
for thermal shaft growth toward the coupling. Skidding noise may result from the combination of internal
bearing clearances and alignment tolerances.
2. DO NOT RUN A ROLLER BEARING WITHOUT A LOAD CONNECTED.
3. V-belt sheave pitch diameters should not be less than the NEMA recommended values, or calculated formula
for frames above 445T.
4. Belt speed should not exceed 6500 ft. per minute, or consult belt/sheave supplier.
5. Motors must not be subjected to vibration exceeding 0.5 G force. Motors are not to be mounted to shaker
screens or vibrating equipment that exceeds 0.5 G force on the motor. Complete isolation is required.

© 2020 Toshiba International Corporation • 13131 West Little York Road Houston, Texas 77041 USA • Tel +713-466-0277 US 1-800-231-1412 • Rev.0924ESSENCE20 www.toshiba.com/tic